Page 62 of Morning Glory Girl
My legs found the floor and as I pushed myself up, the room tilted.Crap.Half a box of kids’ macaroni and cheese was no match for three generous glasses of wine.
“Actually, I don’t think I can drive,” I admitted, embarrassed. He glanced at the wine glass and then at my face. “I know it’s a short drive but…the wine went to my head.” I felt the need to explain and apologize. “I’ll just walk and come back in the morning to grab my car.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Luke, it’s only a mile—a twenty-minute walk, tops.”
“It’s dark, there aren’t many streetlights in this neighborhood, no sidewalks, and there’ll be a bunch of drunks driving home from dinner right now.No.” His voice was a command. “You’re sleeping here. Text Mimi, I’m sure she’s still up.”
He was standing now too, towering over me. I tipped my head up and opened my mouth to protest again, but it was plain from his expression that he would have none of it: lips a thin line, darkeyes serious as sin. It was hot as hell. The untamable part of my mind was already wondering how I could get him to boss me around again.
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Nope. I’m going to go change the sheets in the guest room.”
“Luke,” I whined, dragging out the monosyllabic name. “You don’t need to do that.”I’m his babysitter, I’m supposed to be helping him, not burdening him.
In a few big strides, he was at the base of the stairs. “Help if you want, but I’m doing it anyway.”
I groaned quietly, grabbed my things, and followed him up the stairs.
“Thanks again for all the cleaning you did. My parents didn’t make any comments about the house other than to say it looked great,” Luke said as he tossed a corner of the fitted sheet in my direction.
“I’m glad.” I tucked the sheet around the edge of the mattress before moving to the foot of the bed. “Did you have a good time with them overall? Luna told me she did.”
“Yeah, it went well. They didn’t say anything else that implied Luna would be better off in Pennsylvania for the rest of the week, and Luna always has a great time with them. I’m happy when she’s happy.” He shrugged, and warmth filled my veins. “My dad actually mentioned the idea of retiring. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say the word before. My mom said they’d love to spend more time here after he retires. And I do kinda miss them, honestly.”
“I’m sure they miss you, too. That’s awesome he’s considering retiring and they’d spend more time here when he does. They’d have to get their own place, of course.”
“Of course.” He grinned.
He fluffed the last pillow after putting on the fresh case. “Need anything else?”
“If I do, I know where to find it.”
“True.”
He walked slowly toward the door. I followed,so I could shut it behind him. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he turned. I stopped short. He lifted his arm, leaning his elbow on the door frame. It was the perfect position, his head leaning just low enough that I could lift my mouth to his if I wanted to. His eyes roamed to my lips, and my heartbeat thundered in my ears.Was he doing this on purpose?
“Night, Val.” A smirk played on his lips as his gaze lifted back to my eyes. Slow. Covetous.
He didn’t move until I said, “Goodnight, Luke.”
I closed the door and leaned back against it. My fingers found my lips, my pulse still roaring.Maybe my little crush on my boss isn’t one-sided, after all.
I think he wanted to kiss me just now.
And I wanted to let him.
An image of Max’s goofy smile and wind-blown, light brown hair at the beach earlier today flashed through my mind like a tocsin.I have a boyfriend,I reminded myself. I wasn’t allowed to want Luke to kiss me.
Guilt crashed over me like a bucket of ice water, dousing the flames I’d just felt down to nothing.
23
Over FaceTime, I filled Natalie in on the last few weeks with Luna—baking cookies, getting her to work through her disappointment by singing “Defying Gravity” with me, readingMagic Tree Houseon the nights I stayed until bedtime.
“You are so in love with that little girl. It is so cute. Who knew you had this nurturing, maternal side,” Natalie cooed, sipping her wine.
